The bill, named the Fair Chance at Housing Act, would ban tenants from being evicted after one incident of criminal activity and over the activities of guests.

“Too many people become involved in our criminal justice system and serve their time only to return home to face additional barriers to employment, education, and housing. ... By requiring a higher standard of evidence and a more holistic review process, we are taking a significant step toward giving Americans a fair chance to succeed," Harris said in a statement.

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Ocasio-Cortez added that "denying housing to those that have been formerly incarcerated increases recidivism. Today we are taking a step to make our communities safer.”

In addition to adding restrictions on how individuals are able to be evicted, the bill would increase the level of evidence required to screen public housing assistance applicants or evict current tenants based on criminal activity.

If an individual is evicted or blocked from getting housing because of criminal activity the bill would also require they are given "adequate written notice" and the ability to appeal the decision.

The bill is backed by roughly two dozen groups including the National Low Income Housing Coalition, Human Rights Watch and the National Alliance to End Homelessness. Supporters argue that increasing the ability of formerly incarcerated individuals to find stable housing will help reduce recidivism rates.

"This bill will assist the Public Housing Authorities but, perhaps more importantly, it will help people who have been incarcerated rebuild their lives after they have paid their debt to society. It will also go a long way to ensure that families are not punished for the poor or criminal actions of a single family member," the NAACP's Hilary O. Shelton said in a statement.

In addition to making it easier for previously incarcerated individuals to get housing, the bill would restrict when drug and alcohol tests can be used and authorize $10 million in funding for homeless service providers.

The bill comes as criminal justice reform has also emerged as an issue during the 2020 Democratic presidential primary, with several candidates offering reform proposals.

Harris rolled out legislation earlier this year to boost funding for public defenders, while presidential candidate Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) has backed giving inmates the right to vote and Sen. Cory Booker (D-N.J.), who is also running, introduced a bill to build off of last year’s bipartisan criminal justice and sentencing reform effort.